This blog recommends that you adopt a shoes-off policy in your home, not just for family but also for guests and other visitors. Socks, slippers and bare feet are fine indoors, but not shoes. Just say NO to shoes in your house!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Treating other people with respect

re-post

We should always do our utmost to treat other people with respect.

All of us have little things that we are sensitive about. Other people might find it hard to understand those things and may think we are oversensitive about them. However, that does not mean that we should not take those things into consideration.

For instance, some people may not like to hear bad language. If so, you should try as hard as you can not to swear when in that person's company. You may think that is silly. You may think they have the problem, not you and they should deal with it. I disagree. I think that you should respect the fact that those people do not like bad language.

Some people may not like you to smoke when there children are present. You may think that is silly, after all they are not going to be affected by you smoking just one cigarette in front of them. However, perhaps these people do not want you to set an example to your children. You should respect that.

Likewise, some people do not want shoes to be worn inside their homes. This is something important to them.

You may think this is daft. If it is for cultural reasons you may think "They are living in the UK not in China." If it is to protect the carpet you may think "Carpets are meant to be walked on." That is fine. You are entitled to your opinion. However, you should still treat their preference with respect. They are fellow human beings who have the right to their preferences and opinions as much as you do. So please don't complain if you are asked to remove your shoes in such homes.

We should also not be afraid to state our preferences. Nobody is going to know that you would rather they avoided using bad language in front of their children unless you tell them this. In the same way nobody will know that you would like shoes-off in your house unless you make it clear. There is nothing wrong with expressing how you feel and asserting your wishes. You have the right to be respected.

2 comments:

Amber
said...

I completely agree with you. My husband and I just moved back to the U.S. after living in Japan for four years. The thought of wearing shoes in the house is now repulsive to us, and we have a strict no-shoe policy. We recently moved into a new apartment (with new carpet) and the maintenance man showed up today for some necessary repairs. I VERY politely asked him to remove his shoes at the door and he flat out refused. I really didn't know what to say; it was such an awkward situation, so I just ended up letting him in anyway. I suppose I could have sent him away, but it's already taken so long just to get someone to show up in the first place. I can't believe the blatant disrespect of some people. What happened to a little common courtesy, especially when visiting another person's home, for business or otherwise? And to me, people who are completely comfortable wearing shoes in the house are the strange ones, not the other way around.

What is a "Shoes-Off Policy"?

Some people have a rule in their home that both family and visitors must take off their shoes when entering the house.

They may have a number of reasons for having such a rule. They may worry about their carpet getting dirty, they may want to avoid their hardwood floor being scratched by heels, they may fear that shoes could pick up toxins that might harm their children or it may be that removing shoes at the door is part of their culture.

This blog is an extended defence of the practice of removing shoes at the door. I live in Britain, where keeping shoes on in houses is common and I have seen how damaged carpets and floors can get. I also think removing shoes promotes a more relaxed atmosphere in the home.

In some countries having a shoes-off policy is not necessary. That is because removing shoes is the cultural norm and nobody would dream of not taking their shoes off. Countries where it is like this include Japan, Thailand, the Czech Republic, Sweden and many more that I could mention.

Strictly no shoes in here!

37 Reasons Why You Should Have a Shoes-Off Policy

1. Carpets are not easy to clean.2. Carpets absorb dust and become breeding grounds for dust mites, causing the development of asthma and allergies.3. If you do not have a carpet, the dust will not be absorbed and you are likely to breathe it in.4. Shoes can leave marks on wood, PVC and marble floors.5. Shoes can scratch wood flooring, especially if they have high heels.6. Boots and high heeled shoes can cause wear and tear to carpets.7. That goes for rugs as well.8. Shoes pick up small particles of grit that cause wear and tear to carpets.9. Shoes pick up traces of petrol fumes and industrial pollution.10. Shoes can pick up pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals.11. Shoes pick up traces of animal excrement.12. Ever noticed how much chewing gum there is stuck to the streets?13. In a square mile, there are more insects than people on the planet. How many do you think you have squashed on your shoes?14. If you have a crawling baby, do you want him or her to be exposed to the dirt from people's shoes?15. In rain or snow, you are less likely to get the floor wet.16. If you live near a beach, you will bring less sand into the house.17. If you have a crawling baby, you will do less damage if you accidently step on him or her.18. If you get mad and kick the cat or dog, you will do less damage (apologies to animal lovers).19. If your children play rough, they will do less damage.20. It creates a less formal atmosphere.21. It creates a greater sense of relaxation.22. Your guests will become more like you by removing their shoes and will feel part of the family.23. An Asian, Scandinavian or East European visitor will feel more at home.24. It teaches children the importance of respecting and looking after things.25. Psychologically, removing your shoes helps you to enter a frame of mind where you keep your everyday troubles outside your home.26. It is more comfortable.27. It is healthier for you feet to take your shoes off during the day.28. Small children with growing feet should wear shoes only to the minimum.29. If you wear high-heeled shoes, your feet badly need a break.30. You can put your feet up on the sofa without taking your shoes off first (Dont tell me you put your feet on the sofa with shoes on?).31. If you live in an apartment, you will make less noise for the people below.32. If you ever visit Japan, it will seem less weird.33. If you are ever arrested and they confiscate your shoes, along with your belt and jewellery, it will seem less weird.34. Your feet smell less if you do not wear shoes all day.35. When you lovingly chastise your children, you will have a slipper to hand.36. It was a Biblical custom (come on, did they wash their feet with shoes on?)37. Do you really think the Saints in Glory are going to trample the sparkling, clean New Jerusalem with shoes on?

About Me

I am an orthodox Roman Catholic Christian and Conservative Party member.
I look to the renewal of the cosmos through the reconciling work of Christ.
I believe the best way to keep homes clean is to remove shoes at the door. I expect visitors to my home to remove their shoes.
I am one of the 48% who voted Remain in the EU referendum.